7 Tips for the First-Time Car Audio Buyer

Learn seven tips on how to buy a car audio system, especially if you're a first-time buyer, in this Howcast car stereo video with expert Movin' On.

Transcript

Hi my name is Movin On, and I've been working in the field of car audio and mobile electronics for 8 over years. I've installed everything from navigation systems to full car stereo systems, remote starters, alarms, and beyond. To learn more, visit our web site at www.movinon.com.

When you're getting a car stereo for the first time, you wanna ask yourself, ""What are you looking to get out of this stereo? Are you looking to play a form of media that you couldn't play before? Like an iPod? Are you looking for better sound? Are your looking for more bass?"" A lot of times it's easier to just replace your head unit, which is the main part that you put the CD in and plug iPods into, but often times it's not really possible.

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You're gonna want to go to a local car stereo shop and consult with a professional. You need somebody who has experience to look at your car, determine what can be changed, how it can be changed and how it's gonna be done properly. If you plan on doing it yourself, you're gonna wanna do proper research and maybe even go to a car stereo shop to ask what type of parts you're gonna need. For instance, if you wanna play your iPod, there are interfaces we could add to make that play; if you want more bass, we can add a sub-woofer and an amplifier and if you want better sound, we may be able to replace your speakers or add an amplifier or a sound processor without replacing the head unit at all. When you're looking to change a stereo, you may want to ask yourself, what you're looking to gain by that. Is it better sound? Is it better features? You wanna be able to play your ipod? These are all things that could potentially cut your costs in half. You may not need to change every single component of your car stereo, just to give it a little bit more bass. Changing your speakers isn't always the answer. Sometimes changing the head unit's a better idea. Sometimes adding an amplifier with a little bit of bass'll give you that extra bit of impact that you need. A lot of people will jump straight to the "Big Box Store" because they know that the "Big Box Store" has a big selection and that they have lots of salespeople and help that is readily available; but I tend to recommend the local car stereo shop because, typically, you're gonna have more dedicated professionals with a lot more experience. You're gonna get better work done to your car, you're gonna get better advice, and a lot of times, you're gonna have higher-end brands to choose from.